Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Makassar Day 2 (continued)
After having so much fun in Kodingareng Keke (KK), we went to Pulau Samalona on our way back to the city. Pulau is the Bahasa word for island. It was where we rented our snorkeling gears, so we definitely had to stop by here. It is just about 30 minutes tops from the city.

it welcomes you with white sand and crystal clear waters

It is one of the islands that can be found in the Makassar Strait. It
is not too distant from the city. You can
actually see the city skyline from this island and vice versa. Unlike KK
which is completely uninhabited, Samalona has a thriving small
community. It is owned by a family who lived there for generations.

The families living here have spare rooms for guests wanting to stay in
the island. But don't expect too much. It is a very basic accommodation.
If you can bear a life without electricity and running water, then try
it! It is the real island life! Rates range between IDR 250,000 to 300,000. I'm not sure if it's negotiable because we never intended to stay. We were only there for a day trip.

it's like a small town island

Honestly, I wasn't as impressed here as I was with KK. Some of the broken structures and the abandoned debris were a bit of an eyesore for me.

rough around the edges

The beach is not too pleasant for me. I don't know. Maybe it's just me or we came at a wrong time. Much like KK, it's better to swim with your group of friends and not to get too far from the shore because there were parts where the underwater current suddenly changes.

The sand is fine and the water is very clear too. There are parts which aren't very nice, but there are also parts that look stunning. You just have to find your own perfect place to enjoy the beach. They say sunset in Samalona is also spectacular but we didn't get to see it because we left a little early.

the seafarer is happy to see a ship passing by

The main attraction of this island is really under the water. It is more of a divers haven but snorkeling could be fun too. The island is surrounded by seven shipwrecks, most of them Japanese vessels that sunk in the area during World War 2. Add to that some cargo ships which also sunk around the island. They've all became coral reef sanctuaries which are now home to colorful marine animals.

too tired to snorkel

We weren't able to explore this island that much but still we had a good time.

*This covers both Kodingareng Keke and Samalona islands. Access to the islands are free.

This will be way reasonable if you'll go as a big group. Remember, the boat's capacity is up to 10 pax excluding the boat driver. Imagine if you'll divide the rental cost among 10 people, it'll be very very cheap!

So if you find yourself in Makassar, don't forget go island hopping and visit their nearby beautiful beaches!

The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea. ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh